Category Archives: Other Stuff

Lakewood Game Report

Other Stuff

Thanks to @nyphilsmaniac19, we get a live report from todays Lakewood game:

Lakewood Game Report vs Greenville, July 23

Pitching: Yoel Mecias started and went 5 solid innings. Here is a sampling of his pitch speeds based on the stadium gun: 80,73,76,85,74,80,83,82,83,85,75,73,73,83,85,82,86,75,83,81,85,74,84,82,85,80. This is obviously not every pitch as I was tracking AB’s simultaneously. Here is a batter by batter look at Yoel’s outing:

1st: Weak GO 6-3/ Pop up by the mound(P-6)/ chopper towards the middle, Pullin made a nice backhand and a jump throw which was scooped nicely by Green at 1st.

2nd: HR (long AB- didn’t seem to be hit that solidly- ball was really carrying today which is odd since there wasn’t much wind)/Went 2-0 on the next batter and Knapp came out to calm him down which seemed to work- got the batter on a slow roller 4-3/4-3 GO on a 3-1 pitch/K on a 74 mph change-up (his only K of the day) Continue reading Lakewood Game Report →

Lehigh Valley Report

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Lehigh Valley continues mired in mediocrity but now, with a revamped roster that should provide some late season life. Over the last 11 games, the ‘Pigs went 4-7 and now sit at 49-55, 11.5 games behind division leading Syracuse in the Northern Division of the International League.  Wildcard hopes are dwindling as well, sitting 7 games behind Pawtucket with 40 games left in the season. Lehigh Valley continues with two more at home against Pawtucket before hitting the road for five games (Buffalo and Rochester).

‘Pigs Prospects:Maikel Franco left this evenings game with back tightness and is day to day.  Over the last 10 games, Franco hit .222/.237/.333 with 6 RBI’s. On the year, .233/.283/.366 with 6HR and 46RBI to go along with a 15%k rates.  Franco is hitting .266 against lefties, .219 against righties and .270 with RISP. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

Around the System–Middle Infield

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A look at middle infielders around the organization.  Next, comes catchers.

Lehigh Valley

Nate Spears, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .338/.389/.500 in 80 AB’s; 2HR 12RBI; 3SB; 9%bb/24%k rates; 19 games at 2B without an error; 9 games at SS with 1 error (.957); Hitting .350 in July. Since being signed a month or so ago, Spears has done a very good job solidifying the 2B position both with his glove and bat.

Freddy Galvis, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2006; .214/.313/357 in 14 AB’s; 0HR 1RBI; 4 games at SS without an error.  Galvis spent the beginning of the year in Philly and then almost immediately was significantly injured upon being sent to Lehigh Valley.  Returned to the lineup just last week.

Reading

KC Serna, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .282/.315/.384 in 354 AB’s between Clearwater and Reading; 3HR 32RBI; 10SB; 6%bb/9%k rates; 25 games at SS with 3 errors (.975); 33 games at 2B with 4 errors (.978); 30 games at 3B with 5 errors (.938). Serna has had a very solid year before going down last week with an oblique injury and being placed on the DL.  SHowed himself to be both a capable hitter and solid fielder. Continue reading Around the System–Middle Infield →

Reading Report: At the Break

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Going into the 2014 season, there was hope, promise, and some sort of optimism that we could see some great performances and talented players in Reading.

Though the All-Star Game is far past the midway point of the Eastern League season, I figured it was as good a time as any to recap the first “half” of the season (if we can really call it that), and take a look back while looking ahead to the team’s final 49 games.

While the outstanding performances have been few and far between, some great things did happen this year. But, for the most part, the story of the 2014 Reading club has been written over the past month: it’s a flawed team that doesn’t have a ton of talent, and they have scuffled to a 38-55 record. Continue reading Reading Report: At the Break →

The Curious Case of Jiandido Tromp

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A huge thank you to Mitch Rupert, who authored the piece.  For those of you who do not know Mitch, he is the WIlliamsport beat writer for the Sun Gazette and simply does an outstanding job of research, analysis, and writing.  Its very clear through his authorship and analysis, this is a guy thats works very hard at his craft.  I encourage all of you to follow Mitch on Twitter (@Mitch_Rupert)and read his work online, and hopefully Mitch will be willing to write an occasional piece or do an occasional Q and A for us.

Maybe no player in the Phillies’ system has started a back and forth banter like Williamsport Crosscutters outfielder Jiandido Tromp has this year. One thing everybody on either side of the discussion can agree on is he doesn’t belong at Williamsport. He came into this week’s road trip to New York OPSing just under .900.

But what has become the usual disagreement about Tromp is where he ranks in the Phillies’ system, and how much of a legitimate prospect he really is. One thing you can’t argue about with the 20-year old Aruban is that all of his individual tools are exciting.

– At just 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, he still packs some of the best power on a Crosscutters team loaded with offensive talent two and three years his senior. The kid is a 5-foot-11 ball of muscle who generate power with quick hands and strong forearms.

– At best the hit tool is average at this point. When he gets going good, as he did to start the Williamsport season, he can tend to get pull happy and start pulling off outside pitches and put himself into funks.

Continue reading The Curious Case of Jiandido Tromp →

Around the System–Corner Infield

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Another look at Corners Infielders…next up, Middle Infield.

Lehigh Valley

Jim Murphy, 28, Phils 17th round pick in 2008; .235/.328/.406 in 293 AB’s; 10HR 37RBI; 11%bb/23%k rates; 75 games at 1B with 3 errors (.995); Hitting .213 since June 1; .200 with RISP; Mediocre offensive production makes it unlikely the 28 year old sticks around beyond this year absent a very hot final 6 weeks.

Maikel Franco, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2009; .230/.285/.364 in 343 AB’s; 6HR 42 RBI; 1SB; 7%bb/15%k rates; 71 games at 3B with 4 errors (.978); 15 games at 1B without an error; Hitting .390 in July; .257 vs. RHP; .218 vs. LHP; .278 with RISP; Franco has been much better over the last month, reviving calls for his promotion.  Not yet.  Let him get another solid month under his belt and call him up in September.  Has been outstanding defensively.

Russ Canzler, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .306/.362/.565 in 61 AB’s; 3HR 11RBI; 4 games at 1B with 1 error; 3 games at 3B without an error; 4 games in the OF without an error; Has been a very good mid season pickup for the ‘Pigs. Continue reading Around the System–Corner Infield →

Hot or Not

Hot Or Not, Other Stuff

Taking a look at the time frame fromJuly 3-13…Harold Martinez with his once a year tease…Roman Quinn is now down to .240 on the year after a very unproductive 10 days…Luis Encarnacion shows he is capable, even as a 16 year old…Cody Forsythe continues to have an excellent year after moving up a level…Derek Campbell: Man, Myth or legend?…Starting to think Carlos Tocci may be ready for a bump up…Good to see Ethan Martin and Phillipe Aumont pulling themselves together, at least in the short term…Zach Green has been outstanding since coming off the DL.  Discuss.

Hot Hitters: Miin, 16 AB’s: Derek Campbell (.500; 6R 2HR 7RBI, 1SB); Tyler Henson (.419, 6R 1HR 7RBI); Carlos Tocci (.400, 3SB, 6RS); Carlos Alonso (.393, 8R); Luis Encarnacion (.381), Zach Green (.375, 5R 7RBI); Aaron ALtherr (.367, 6R 1HR 6RBI); Jake Fox (.364, 2HR 6RBI);  Harold Martinez (.364, 3HR 5RBI); Mitch Walding (.360, 4R 1HR 7RBI, SB); Dylan Cozens (.333); Matt SHortall (.333); Rhys Hoskins (.333). Honorable Mention: Serna, A. Brown, Castro

Not Hot Hitters: Roman Quinn (.105); Damek Tomscha (.111);  RayWily Gomez (.125); Wilson Garcia (.125); Venn Biter (.125); Brandon Short (.150); Brock Stassi (.160) Continue reading Hot or Not →

Inquirer Top 25

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Below is the Inquirer’s mid season Top 25 list.  I am certain  this will create a very healthy debate.  Have at it.

  1. JP Crawford
  2. Maikel Franco
  3. Aaron Nola
  4. Ken Giles
  5. Jesse Biddle
  6. Roman Quinn
  7. Miguel ALfredo Gonzalez
  8. Cesar Hernandez
  9. Cameron Perkins
  10. Kelly Dugan
  11. Tommy Joseph
  12. Severino Gonzalez
  13. Cord Sandberg
  14. Matt Imhof
  15. Carlos Tocci
  16. Zach Green
  17. Adam Morgan
  18. Ethan Martin
  19. Aaron ALtherr
  20. Aaron Brown
  21. Deivi Gruillon
  22. Yoel Mecias
  23. Shane Watson
  24. Dylan Cozens
  25. David Buchanan

 

 

Around the System, OF–Lakewood, Williamsport, GCL

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Definite reasons for optimism at the lower levels, which to a degree makes up for next to nothing at the higher levels in the OF.  Next up will be corner infield.

Lakewood

Carlos Tocci, 18, SIgned as a free agent in 2011; .238/.291/.307 in 323 AB’s; 0HR 20RBI; 4/13SB; 4%bb/18%k rates; .325 vs. LHP; .208 vs. RHP; .214 with RISP; .252 since June 1. 83 games in the OF with 3 errors (.986); 5 OF assists; Certainly improved over last year, now with well over 800 plate appearances for Lakewood over 2 years.  Still very young, the offense will have to continue to improve if Tocci is going to become a viable major leaguer.Plenty of time.

Dylan Cozens, 20, Phils 2nd round pick in 2012; .238/.296/.405 in 341 AB’s; 11HR 37RBI; 16SB; 8%bb/26%k rates; .271 vs. LHP; .221 vs. RHP; .176 with RISP; Hitting .350 in July thus far; Just over a year older than Tocci, Cozens avg and obp are almost identical, however Cozens is showing a huge power and speed tool.  There is plenty of reason for excitement in my opinion.  Needs to shorten his swing and strike out less, but to an extent, that is the price you pay for power. 79 games in the OF with 6 errors (.979); 7 OF assists. Continue reading Around the System, OF–Lakewood, Williamsport, GCL →

Five Moves to Make Now

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With the trade deadline quickly approaching, its time to clear some space for what most of us hope will be incoming talent when (if) the Phils rid themselves of pieces that can be used by other teams.  A couple of these are no brainers, others not so much…

1. Grady SIzemore to Phils–Absolutely no reason that Sizemore should spend any more time at AAA. He is a major league player and can certainly help the abysmal production from the Phillies OF.  The release of Tony Gwynn, Jr is the likely corresponding move.

2.  Lee Ridenhour to Reading–Ridenhour has pitched very well as the Threshers closer over the last two months.  As a soon to be 25 year old, its time to move him up.

3.  Willians Astudillo to CLearwater–What more do we really need to see of Astudillo at Lakewood?  He mashes Low A pitching. With Knapp catching every day now, the only position at which Astudillo has a legitimate major league shot is filled.  Let him move on and share AB’s with Lino and DH in CLearwater.

4.  Jiandido Tromp to Lakewood–There is talent that needs consistent challenge.  Plenty of Cutters outfielders need AB’s and Tromp has the immediate ability to play above the level of short season ball.

5.  Jason Marquis to the Phils–Coming off Tommy John surgery, Marquis has allowed 1ER in 3 starts spanning 18 innings for Lehigh Valley.  He has struck out 18 in those 18 innings.  Believe it or not, I hear that teams think that Kyle Kendrick could be a useful part down the stretch for a contending team.  Jason Marquis and Kyle Kendrick will provide major league results that are very similar.  Take what you can get for Kendrick (who will be a free agent at seasons end), plug Marquis into the rotation for a team going nowhere and smile that you got a warm body for Kendrick.

Commence the debate and criticism.